“I know. I know. I hear you.” Colton rolled his eyes dramatically. “Hey, Zach, we got someone here wants to see you.”
A jolt of pure joy crawled up Zach’s spine, zero to sixty in no seconds. He popped out of his chair, handed the banjo to Colton, and launched himself at Maddie.
She wrapped him in a hug that made everything he’d gone through to get away worth it.
“I’m so glad you’re safe.” Zach sucked in a breath to hold back the tears. “I was worried they’d find out you helped me.”
“I told you not to worry about me.” She squeezed him like she didn’t believe her words. “But we’re both safe now.”
A phone rang, and Ted answered his cell. His voice trailed off as he talked.
Zach sniffed as he pulled away. She winked, ruffled his hair, and nodded in Colton’s direction. “I guess I owe him an apology. Told him I wouldn’t believe you were safe unless I saw you with my own eyes. Have to say I didn’t expect to find you picking away like you owned the world.”
When he decided to run, the last thing he expected was to end up in a place like this. “They’ve been kinder to me than I deserve.”
“Nonsense.” The screen door opened, and Nanette came out with a plate of cookies. “He’s been a perfect houseguest. Plus, I haven’t seen Jerry this happy on a rainy day in years. I’ve more in the oven, so dig in.”
She set the plate down, wiped her hands on her apron, and held out her right one to Maddie. “Nanette Hanlon. Welcome to our home.”
“Maddie Brown.” Maddie accepted and they shook. “Thank you for your hospitality. And for watching over Zach.”
“Like I said, he’s no trouble. Helpful, polite and a fine rainy-day companion for my father-in-law.”
Jerry hmphed, and everyone laughed. Nanette held onto Maddie’s hand and nodded toward the house. “Come in, and I’ll make us some tea while the cookies finish baking. You boys can stay out here a bit longer before lunch is ready”
Maddie followed Nanette into the house, leaving him alone. Zach wanted to fold himself into Colton’s arms again, but with how things were, that was never going to happen.
“Colton.” Jerry’s deep growl broke Zach’s dark mood. “Go fetch a guitar and Ted’s banjo. We can play a bit before lunch is ready.”
“Don’t do that.” Ted cleared the corner of the house. “Stephen Ulmstead is dead.”
“No shit?” Colton looked poleaxed. “What the hell happened?”
Zach stood still, like he’d been frozen to the porch. Dead? He wanted to give a whoop, but he had a bad feeling Creepy Suit Guy was involved. When he saw everyone looking at him, he panicked. “It wasn’t me.” The words just fell out of his mouth.
Colton arched one eyebrow. Did he even know he did that? “We know that, honey. You’ve been here.”
